Šibenik – Knin County
General
Šibenik-Knin county is situated in the south of Croatia, in the central part of northern Dalmatia. The total area of the county is 5670 km2, which includes the land area of 2994 km2 and 2676 km2 area of islands with the sea. On the east, Šibenik-Knin County borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to the west forms a part of the Adriatic sea border with Italy. It also borders in the north with the Zadar County, and to the south with the Split-Dalmatia County. Political-territorial structure of the county consists of 20 local government units: 5 cities (Šibenik, Knin, Vodice, Skradin and Drniš) and 15 municipalities (Murter-Kornati, Tribunj, Bilice, Pirovac Tisno, Primošten, Rogoznica, Promina, Ružić Unešić, Kistanje, Ervenik Kijevo, Biskupija and Civljane).
The center of the county is the city of Šibenik.
According to the population census in 2001., Šibenik-Knin County has 112,891 residents. The population average age is 41.1 years. In the Sibenik-Knin County women make up 51.6% and males 48.4% of the total population.
source url Historical overview
The fortified city of Šibenik was founded by the Croats around the 9th century. With the development of the medieval Croatian state, Šibenik was developed too, and for the first time it was mentioned in the 11th century in the grant of the king Petar Kresimir IV.
Although many different nations were fighting for this town, from the Austro-Hungarian monarchy over Byzantium to Venice, the town was still improving, expanding and developing its culture, art, navigation, trade and overall economic development. While the town of Šibenik was under the Venetian rule for the long period of four centuries, the most significant historical and cultural sites of the present town have arisen from that time. One of them is definitely the main symbol of the City - the Cathedral of St. Jacob.
Cultural heritage
The uniqueness of this county is the valuable cultural and historical heritage. Due to the quality, size and variety of its monuments and their connection to the Mediterranean and European heritage, the historical heritage of the Sibenik-Knin County has a great importance. In the register of immovable /immaterial/ cultural goods of Croatia there are 290 registered cultural property from this region: the Cathedral of St. Jacob, the fortresses of Šibenik, the Knin fortress, Burnum in Ivoševci, Biskupija near Knin, Krka monastery, Franciscan monastery on the island of Visovac, St. Salvation church at the source of the river Cetina etc.
Although not having big surface, Sibenik-Knin County is, internationally known for its cultural and entertainment events, such as: The International Children's Festival, Medieval Fair in Sibenik, Dalmatian Chanson Festival, Jazz Festival, The ballad of “boduli” (island population) on the island of Zlarin and “Užance” (habits, customs of Sibenik region): Eco-ethno Fair in Skradin Festival of rural culture in Knin, Evening of local cuisine in Pirovac and Primostenske užance.
In addition to the city museums in Šibenik, Knin, Drniš and Skradin, there are also: Mestrovic mausoleum in Otavice, the exhibition of Faust Vrancic in Prvić Luka, as well as the aquarium and the museum of maritime tradition in the town of Vodice.
Economy
GDP (2009.): 7.239 EUR /per capita
Foreign trade exchange (2011.):
Exports $ 292,719,818;
Imports $ 311,346,649
Manufacturing
Metal industry
The area of Sibenik has a rich tradition of industrial production, which is mainly based on metalwork. Tvornica Lakih Metala – TLM (Light Metals Factory) is the largest industrial complex in the county, which employs more than 1 500 workers. Besides TLM, in the town of Šibenik there is also a number of smaller producers who deal with metal processing, and it is important to highlight the ZM-Vikom, a company from a powerful group of Zagrebmontaža, which generates stronger growth and higher investments in the area of Sibenik.
Small boat building
In the Sibenik-Knin County there is also a tradition of a small boat building. The largest and the most famous shipyard in Sibenik-Knin County was Remontni Zavod Sibenik (boat repairing shipyard) which – in the years before 1990.- dealt with military vessels and equipment maintaining. Today it has been privatized (NCP – boat repairing shipyard) and continues to develop activities of ships maintenance and construction . Besides the shipyard in Šibenik, it is also important to mention that the small boat building still exists in Murter, Betina, Vodice, Tribunj, Primošten and Skradin. In total, in Šibenik-Knin County there are 21 companies registered for ship construction and 33 companies registered for repairs and remodeling.
Food industry
In the Šibenik-Knin County area, the wine production is the most prominent. The specificity of this production is in a fact that the County has a variety of areas, since it is a relatively small geographic area with vineyards from many different winegrowingsubregions. So, Šibenik vineyards (Pirovac ,Tisno, Vodice, Tribunj, Murter, the island of Žut, Kornati, Bilice, Šibenik, Zlarin, the island of Kaprije, the island of Žirje , the island of Prvić ( Šepurina) and other islands of the Šibenik archipelago) and Primosten vineyards (Primosten , Rogoznica) belong to the „Northern subregion“, while vineyards Skradin (Skradin), Knin (Knin, Kijevo, Civljane, Biskupija), Promina (Promina) and Drniš (Drniš, Ružić, Unešić) belong to the subregion of „Dalmatian hinterland“.
In the county there are 2151 registered manufacturers of grapes and wine, of which 27 are producing wine with a designationof controlledgeographic origin. It is important to mention that Vinoplod-Winery Sibenik, which employs about 250 workers, produces wine and other alcoholic beverages. It also cooperates with a number of farms in the county and beyond. The company has been privatized and operates profitably.
Tourism
The mild climate, attractive and rugged coastline (285 islands), many cultural and historical monuments (the Cathedral of St. Jacob - UNESCO monument), numerous and preserved natural beauties (national parks Krka and Kornati, nature parks Velebit and Vrana, nature monuments Stara Straža/Old Guard and Cetina Vrelo/Cetina Wellhead, as well as seven significant landscapes) have defined the county as a famous tourist destination.
On the European and world tourist market Šibenik – Knin County has been positioned as a leading sailing destination in the Adriatic as weel as in and the wider Mediterranean region, due to its coast which is the most indented in the Croatian part of the Adriatic.
Nautical offer consists of 12 marinas and 7 anchorages, total capacity of 3480 sea berths and 1320 on the land. Beside five marinas in the ACI system - Adriatic Croatia International Club (Jezera, Žut, Piškera, Skradin and Vodice), there are still more marinas, like "Frapa" in Rogoznica, "Kremik" – in Primošten, "Danuvius" in Tribunj, two marinas in Šibenik : "Nautical Center Prgin - NCP" and “Solaris” marina, as well as two marinas on Murter, the largest populated island in the county: "Betina" and "Hramina".
Entrepreneurial infrastructure
Business zone Podi , as the central zone in the county, in perspective is the most important area for economic development. Business zone Podi is an increasingly important factor in the manufacturing development of the county. About fifteen plants , mainly manufacturing, have been built there. The zone covers an area of about 550 hectares, of which 120 hectares have already been given to entrepreneurs. So far, the city of Sibenik has possessed 139 hectares and allocation procedure of further 100 hectares in now in progress. Beside Podi zone, some major business districts are located in the town of Drniš: Drniš and Radonić zones; Kosa economic zone in the hinterland of Skradin, Preparandija business zone in Knin and Čista economic zone in the hinterland of Vodice.
Sibenik-Knin County has also one business incubator: Business Incubator PIN - Šibenik. It was founded by Šibenik city administration ,with the support of the EU CARDS 2002. It has three objects (rebuilt former military warehouses in Mandalina), in which there are fourteen business units destined for manufacturing and service activities. PIN Sibenik is designated for the very beginners in entrepreneurship, as well as for those who have new (innovative) product offerings and services.
It is also important to mention iNavis - Marine Innovation Centre in Šibenik, which aims to bring together and link the Croatian and Norwegian companies and institutions in the maritime sector. In one place, there will be companies in the field of shipbuilding, transportation, energy, propulsion machinery, ICT in shipping, innovation, research of the sea and seabed and other activities related to the sea. The center will provide advisory, institutional and financial support to all these subjects , and will participate actively in the initiation and implementation of joint projects.
Transport infrastructure
Road transport - A1 highway passes through the county , and there are 4 highway entrances
The longitudinal roads passing through the county are: A1 highway Pirovac - Vrpolje ,the Adriatic freeway D8 Pirovac- Vodice - Šibenik - PrimoŠten - Rogoznica and state roads: D1 Knin - Kijevo, D56 Skradin - Drniš , D58 Šibenik - Vrpolje and D27. The transverse roads that pass through the county and link its coastal and continental parts are state roads: D33 Šibenik - Drniš - Knin - Bosnia and D59 Knin - Kistanje – Kapela.
Maritime transport – The port of Sibenik is one of the oldest and best-protected harbor on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, naturally sheltered from waves and wind. It has been specialized in bulk cargoes transshipment . The bulk cargo terminal capacity totals in export about 400.000 tons a year, while the load capacity amounts about 150 tons per hour. The terminal has a railway track (300 m) and packing. Fertilizers, grain and other bulk cargoes and rock are exported. The bulk cargo terminal capacity totals in import 1.000.000 tons a year and unloading capacity amounts 400 tons per hour. The terminal has two railway tracks (2 x 600 m). The terminal import operation is fully automated, with the control of all transportation systems in the process of unloading a vessel, filling warehouses as well as of direct or indirect railway wagons loading. To protect the environment, it has been invested in complete system closing, so all outpouring places and wagon loading places are covered with pollination system.
Railway transport – The length of the international terminal railroad in the county totals 149 294 km and the length of the regional railway is 26 190 km. The entire railway network is of single track and non-electrified. The main rail hub is in Knin, where the Una railway is connected with Lika railway and where you take the track in the direction of Zadar. This hub has installed capacities for trains repairing and also some untapped comparative advantages for rail transport terminal.
Air Traffic - The distance from Šibenik to the airport of Split is 60 km and about 70 km to Zadar airport.
Education
- College in Sibenik (Department of Management-Tourism Management and Information Management, Department of Transport-Road transport and Postal traffic; Department-Law studies)
- Marko Marulić College in Knin (professional studies: Trading Business with Entrepreneurship, Karst Agriculture – herbal production, Karst Agriculture – karst cattle breeding and Food Technology)
- 13 secondary schools (industry and crafts, economics, administrative and legal, transport and technical, medical and chemical, tourism and hospitality, gymnasium, vocational high school)
Additional information about Šibenik –Knin County
http://www.sibensko-kninska-zupanija.hr/
http://www.sibenikregion.com/
http://www.podi-sibenik.com/hrv/index.asp?cID=1
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